A "heads-up"
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A "heads-up"
A couple of things I have run across just in the past couple of days. My F-150 STX I took delivery on a month ago did not have a bedliner. I had a drop in bedliner in my old Ranger that I replaced with the spray-in liner. OK, but not perfect. I decided that I would just make do with the rubber mat this time as I am not going to be doing any heavy duty use of the bed. I found a perfect fit mat at Tractor Supply in Athens, Texas yesterday for $53. These stores should be located in several places in Texas and elsewhere. That's a good price as I was quoted about $75 for one at O'Reilly's and that was a "universal" fit that I would have to trim -- no thanks.
Second thing is that I need to get a Class III hitch and I just received word from ETrailer out of St. Charles that they now have them that will fit the trucks with the vibration damper. My order is on the way. $135 plus shipping. Do not get one that is not earmarked for the vibration damper as it will not fit. Even my local Ford dealer didn't have one in stock.
Second thing is that I need to get a Class III hitch and I just received word from ETrailer out of St. Charles that they now have them that will fit the trucks with the vibration damper. My order is on the way. $135 plus shipping. Do not get one that is not earmarked for the vibration damper as it will not fit. Even my local Ford dealer didn't have one in stock.
Last edited by Missouri Mule; Mar 2, 2005 at 05:35 PM.
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Originally Posted by Aubrey3
Is the mat thick enough to really take a beating? I went to the local pep boys and thought those mats were weak.
I've been notified that my hitch is on the UPS truck and I'll post the results after I install it. Supposed to be a bolt on affair taking 30 minutes.
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Installed the hitch yesterday afternoon. That thing is heavy to lift underneath the truck but managed with my floor jack. And that vibration damper is equally heavy. Guess I am getting old. Went on as described except it took me considerably longer than instruction sheet said. Don't even attempt this unless you lower and remove the spare tire. And remove the vibration damper and get it out of your way.
The procedure goes fairly smoothly. It is necessary to fish the bolts and backing plates through the frame using a spring arrangement, otherwise it would be impossible. But it works fine. The vibration damper is moved to the left and out of the way with an extra bracket and one 7/16" hole must be drilled to accomodate the bolt and nut. But it all worked out and I'm back in business.
This would be a good project for any do it yourselfers to tackle.
The procedure goes fairly smoothly. It is necessary to fish the bolts and backing plates through the frame using a spring arrangement, otherwise it would be impossible. But it works fine. The vibration damper is moved to the left and out of the way with an extra bracket and one 7/16" hole must be drilled to accomodate the bolt and nut. But it all worked out and I'm back in business.
This would be a good project for any do it yourselfers to tackle.
